SAP is enabling a new model for regulated enterprises to move core ERP systems to the cloud, with Thales becoming the first to adopt SAP Cloud ERP Private on S3NS’s sovereign cloud platform in France. The deployment is designed to modernize operations while maintaining full control over sensitive data, addressing one of the biggest barriers to cloud adoption in industries such as defense and aerospace.
Built on S3NS, a Thales–Google Cloud joint venture aligned with France’s SecNumCloud framework, the initiative reflects a growing shift toward cloud models that balance innovation with strict national data sovereignty requirements.
SAP Brings SAP Cloud ERP Private to Sovereign Infrastructure
SAP said SAP Cloud ERP Private will be deployed by SAP Sovereign Cloud on S3NS’s PREMI3NS trusted cloud platform, with availability expected in the second half of 2026.
The offering will enable organizations to run mission-critical workloads in a cloud environment that meets strict French and European regulatory requirements, including data residency, encryption, and jurisdictional control.
Analysis
What This Means for ERP Insiders
Sovereign cloud becomes a practical path to modernization. Enterprises in regulated sectors can now move ERP workloads to the cloud without compromising on data control, turning what was previously a constraint into an enabler for transformation.
Under the model:
- Data is hosted, processed, and secured entirely within France
- Operations are governed under French jurisdiction
- Customers retain access to SAP innovations, including Business AI
Thomas Saueressig, chief customer officer and member of the executive board of SAP, said, “This partnership represents a major step forward for our customers in France and sends a strong signal across Europe. Customers can combine SAP’s innovation and scalability within an environment that meets the highest regulatory requirements, enabling transformation without compromise.”
This approach is intended to allow enterprises to modernize ERP systems without compromising on compliance or sovereignty requirements, particularly in industries such as public sector, healthcare, aerospace, defense, and critical infrastructure.
Thales leads with full ERP transformation on trusted cloud
As the first customer, Thales is migrating its SAP ERP landscape to the S3NS trusted cloud as part of a broader transformation program.
The company said the initiative will standardize core processes across finance, supply chain, manufacturing, and procurement, adopt a clean core approach to improve agility and maintainability, and support long-term resilience and compliance across complex industrial operations.
Thales’ adoption signals a shift toward sovereign cloud at scale, particularly for organizations managing sensitive data and mission-critical operations.
Analysis
What This Means for ERP Insiders
Compliance is shaping ERP architecture decisions. Organizations are increasingly designing cloud strategies around regulatory requirements first, with sovereignty becoming a core factor in platform selection and deployment models.
Pascal Bouchiat, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of Thales, said, “SAP is a cornerstone of Thales’ transformation, with a proven track record in supporting complex industrial operations and supply chain environments. Leveraging SAP within a trusted cloud platform such as PREMI3NS by S3NS is a natural step in our transformation journey, delivering the security, resilience, and compliance the Group requires.”
S3NS expands ecosystem to support sovereign cloud for SAP workloads
S3NS, the Thales–Google Cloud joint venture, offers a French “trusted cloud” service aligned with SecNumCloud 3.2, the country’s highest sovereignty certification.
SecNumCloud 3.2 is the highest-level security and sovereignty qualification for cloud service providers (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) in France, developed by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI). Launched in March 2022, version 3.2 is designed to protect sensitive data from non-European extraterritorial laws (such as the US Cloud Act) and establishes a “Trusted Cloud” (Cloud de Confiance) standard.
The platform operates on infrastructure that is physically and logically isolated in France, ensures data protection against extraterritorial laws, and combines hyperscaler capabilities with local operational control.
It is primarily intended for “Operators of Vital Importance” (OIVs), public administrations, and businesses handling highly sensitive or strategic data.
Analysis
What This Means for ERP Insiders
AI adoption depends on where data can live. By enabling AI on sovereign infrastructure, this model opens the door for advanced analytics and automation in industries that were previously restricted from using cloud-based AI at scale.
SAP’s integration into this environment expands S3NS’s software ecosystem and positions the platform as a viable option for enterprise ERP workloads requiring strict compliance.
SAP Expands Sovereign Cloud Strategy Across Europe
The S3NS deployment builds on SAP’s broader sovereign cloud strategy across Europe, where the company has been expanding partnerships and infrastructure to meet rising regulatory requirements.
In France, SAP recently launched a sovereign cloud offering with Bleu, a national cloud provider, to support public sector organizations and critical infrastructure operators handling sensitive data under the SecNumCloud framework.
SAP has also expanded its sovereign cloud capabilities in Germany, including securing IT baseline certification for its data centers and advancing infrastructure designed to support classified and highly regulated workloads. Together, these initiatives reflect a coordinated push to deliver country-specific cloud models that align with local regulatory and data governance requirements.
As part of this strategy, SAP is enabling enterprises to modernize ERP systems, adopt AI capabilities, and scale operations in the cloud while maintaining strict control over data residency, legal jurisdiction, and operational governance, addressing a key barrier that has historically limited cloud adoption in regulated industries.
